Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Cathedral of St. Paul

Studio Name: Connick (Charles J.), Ltd.

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1923

Subject/Title of Window: Christ Enthroned

Brief Description of Subject: This is the third of the four north side nave windows based on the "Revelation".

All capitalized phrases are the inscriptions found on the window, all are found in the "King's James Version" of the Bible.

At the top of the canopy is a four sided figure in the shape of a cross. Inside the figure are seven stars referencing Rev. 1:20 -- "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" (the Book of Revelation is a letter addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor). Below this and extending into the tops of the lancets is the city called the "New Jerusalem" (Rev.21:2). In this depiction there are six angels with trumpets. In Revelation Chapters 8-11 there are 7 angels with trumpets, the first 6 sound their trumpets and unleash plagues to rid the earth of evil. The inscription is Rev. 11:15 "and the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven saying, THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER."

The large scene in the left lancet depicts "Christ Enthroned" and is a composite of two visions of Christ that John of Patmos recorded in "Revelation". In the first vision (Rev. Chapter 1), he saw Christ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet with a golden sash around his chest, and 7 stars were held in his right hand (these are the angels of the churches the Book of Revelation was sent to); he heard a voice that said "I am the Alpha and the Omega' (seen to the left and ride of Christ's head). In the vision of the "Throne in Heaven" (Rev. Chapters 4-5) he saw Christ on a throne, around the throne four living winged creatures resembling a lion (Mark), an ox (Luke). a face like a man (Matthew), and an eagle (John). Encircling the throne (underneath on this depiction) a rainbow, and seven lamps (the seven spirits of God).In Christ's hand is seen a book sealed with seven seals. Not pictured but surrounding the throne were 24 elders.

The large scene in the right lancet depicts Rev.20:1 "AND I SAW AN ANGEL COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, HAVING THE KEY OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT AND A GREAT CHAIN."

Under the large lancets is the inscription Rev.5:13 "AND EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, all that are in them, HEARD I SAYING, BLESSING AND HONOR AND GLORY AND POWER BE UNTO HIM THAT SITTETH UPON THE THRONE."
The smaller scene below covers both lancets and is a depiction from the story found in Rev. 7:9-15. Six of the seven seals in the book Christ was holding have been opened. "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude ... stood before the throne ... Clothed with white robes, And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and all fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God." John asked an elder "What are these which are arrayed in white robes?" .... "AND HE SAID .... THESE ARE THEY WHICH CAME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATIUON, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God. ... AND HE THAT SITTETH ON THE THRONE SHALL DWELL AMONG THEM." Left to right the figures in the scene:
St. John --- shown writing the answer from the elder. Attribute an eagle.
Elder --- shown answering John's question "Who are those in white robes?"
St. Perpetua and younger brother
St. Paul --- attribute a sword
St. Stephan --- attribute stones
St. Agnes --- attribute a lamb
St. Peter --- attribute keys
Christ --- seen dwelling among the saints, chalice and bread in hand.
St. Francis of Assisi --- attribute birds


The inscription in the memorial is sandwiched between two shields. The one on the left consists of a palm frond and crown --- symbol for a saint. The one on the right is a 7 branched menorah --- in the context of this window probably symbolizes the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Inscriptions: To the Glory of God
In loving memory of Martin Grant Borgman Junior Warden
Born May 10, 1863
Died September 27, 1921


Height: 20'

Width: 6'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint, Etching or Sandblasting

The MSGC is a constantly evolving database. Not all the data that has been collected by volunteers has been sorted and entered. Not every building has been completely documented.

All images in the Index are either born-digital photographs of windows or buildings or are scans of slides, prints, or other published sources. These images have been provided by volunteers and the quality of the material varies widely.

If you have any questions, additions or corrections, or think you can provide better images and are willing to share them, please contact donald20@msu.edu